How to Transition Your Social Security Account to Login.gov
Reading Time: 3 MinutesLast Updated: August 23, 2024
If you created a Social Security username more than 3 years ago, you will need to transition to a new or existing Login.gov account or use an ID.me account to have continuous access to our online services. We recently announced this news in a press release.
For step-by-step instructions on how to make the transition, watch this video. We also encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions for Transitioning Your Social Security Username to Login.gov.
Beginning June 1, 2024, people who sign in to their personal my Social Security account with their username are given the option to transition to Login.gov. This blog provides additional information and guidance to help you with problems you may encounter. We’re also going to provide answers to some of the questions we’ve heard.
Who does this affect?
If you created your free and secure my Social Security account on or after September 18, 2021, no action is necessary because you already have the right setup. If you are among the 46 million people who created an account before September 18, 2021 and use your username and password to access Social Security online services today, you will need to create or use an existing account with one of our two Credential Service Providers (CSP) – Login.gov or ID.me.
Is there a deadline?
While you can still use a username and password to sign in to your personal my Social Security account right now, this option is going away later this year. At that time, you will be required to have a Login.gov or ID.me account if you want to continue to access your personal my Social Security and our many other convenient online services.
A personal my Social Security account provides tools for everyone, whether you receive benefits or not. You can use your account to request a replacement Social Security card, check the status of an application, estimate future benefits, and manage the benefits you already receive. To learn more, visit What is an Account?
Why are you making this change?
This change will simplify your sign-in experience and better align with federal authentication standards while providing safe and secure access to our online services.
What do I need to do?
To avoid any disruptions in accessing our online services we encourage you to transition your account now by signing in to your account with your username and password. Our online instructions will guide you through the process of creating or signing in to an existing Login.gov account.
Information about Login.gov and ID.me
Login.gov is your one government account for simple, secure, and private access to participating government agencies. You can use your Login.gov account to access your Social Security benefit information, services, and other information. And you can use that same Login.gov account to manage other government benefits and services. For support, visit the Login.gov Help Center.
ID.me is a single sign-on provider that also meets the U.S. government’s online identity proofing and authentication requirements. You can use one ID.me account to access government and private services. For support – Go to the ID.me Help Center.
For more information, visit our Create an Account page.
Please share this information with friends and family, clients and colleagues, and others who may need it.
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Tags: General Information, my Social Security, my Social Security account
See CommentsAbout the Author
Dawn Bystry, Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Strategic and Digital Communications
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JOE g.
First, couldn’t use the same email as my wife.
Second, after getting another email account and creating login.gov id, couldn’t upload my drivers lic photo, tried 3 times. I can read all info just fine in the photos but apparently the ss software cannot.
third, now i have to travel 24 miles to a post office and see what happens to verify my id.
THIS IS NOT A BETTER SYSTEM
Linda S.
Try using the login.gov instead of the IDme.gov.. Much simpler.
Margaret P.
I made the new account, tried to log in, it asked if I got an activation code, which I did not. Now what do I do? You obviously have the new account that I already created, because it sends me a log in code to my cell phone which you never had access to before this new system. I don’t want to create another account because I’m sure then you’ll tell me I already have an account. How do I request an activation code?
Allen
The one government agency I respected has now been replaced by a Biden administration joke–Social Security Administration should step back in time to a respectable organization as they once were.
IlhanR
I was using SSA account and last month I was able to transition to Login.gov login process and logged in once. When I tried again to login with login.gov and authenticated, it told me I was already logged in and I was back in login prompt but NOT logged in. After trying three times, I was locked out of my account and have to wait now 24 hours to access again. This is not friendly at all.
Pamela J.
I’m trying to log into my account and it’s telling me that, I can’t log in with my SS#. So,why is this telling me that,when I’ve done all the verification
Linda S.
Pam, I was having difficulty at first. go to ssa.gov , to the upper right hand corner “Sign In”
Hit the login.gov. It will ask for your email address and password “note No Username” once you submit e-mail and p/w it will now send you a code on your cell phone, look for the code and submit it. Once entered next page will appear “My Social Security”. you can loge back out then repeat ssa.gov and login in using the login.gov. You should be good to go. Linda Salem, Oregon
jam
This is ridiculous. I spent 25 minutes trying to log in to your new acct. procedure, only to be told that it couldn’t be done now and to try later. I refuse to go through that again. Can’t you just leave things alone?
Me
Oh, not the government. The love fixing shit that isnt broken. I work for the USPS 🤣
Karen N.
Have old account prior to 2021. Having trouble converting to new set up. Bruce Naylor account is fine. My spouse account Karen Naylor can’t access. Provide instructions.
Marie s.
My husband and I share an email address, can’t figure out how to transition both of us, his is done, but can’t figure out how to do mine.
S.S.
Hello, Marie. Thanks for reading our blog. We understand your frustration. However, each person must set up their own Login.gov account with their own personal email address – not an email that you share with someone else. We hope this is helpful.
Joan F.
You have to have your own email address. I would suggest signing up for a gmail.com or yahoo.com address for yourself.
Donald R.
I tried 4,5,8 times and it is to complicate. I live out of US spanish speaker. How about a iliterate and uneducate hard working class people? That work with computer? I dont know what to do. I dont spend 8 hours with my Phone or computer in the social media. For young generation it is ok.
Taurean W.
I can’t get into my account and nobody responds to help, this is a poor system that’s does not do what it says it so which is help the people but still operate otherwise I am totally displeased with this and hope I speak to someone about this issue soon !